Author: scooj

I am Stephen. I live in Bristol, UK. I decided to shorten my profile...to this: Wildlife, haiku, travel, streetart, psychogeography and my family. Not necessarily in that order.

23. High Kingsdown (1)

My wife told me yesterday about this very recent stencil work on the wall of the Highbury Vaults pub in Cotham. It is in good company, being just a few yards away from ‘Vandalism’ by Nick Walker (will post this soon).

Unify, High Kingsdown, Bristol, June 2016
Unify, High Kingsdown, Bristol, June 2016

The bubblegum boy is by Unify, an artist who appears to work in London mostly, but has done works around the world. I’ve not seen any others in Bristol, but that doesn’t mean they are not there.

Unify, High Kingsdown, Bristol, June 2016
Unify, High Kingsdown, Bristol, June 2016

It is difficult to find out much about Unify, although there is a website.

Unify, High Kingsdown, Bristol, June 2016
Unify, High Kingsdown, Bristol, June 2016

UPDATE – Somehow I lost all the original pictures of this piece, but have since photographed it again, and it is still in pristine condition. The original post was written in August 2015 and the photographs taken in June 2016.

Context

 

Balance in nature

is settled , until challenged;

newt out of water.

 

by Scooj

 

  • I found this little newt deep in the soil whilst digging potatoes yesterday.

22. Turbo Island

Nestled on the intersection between Stokes Croft and Jamaica Street there is a small green space called Turbo Island. Anyone who has lived in Bristol a while will know it as a place where alcoholics and drug addicts used to congregate.

Sepr, Stokes Croft, Bristol, August 2015
Sepr, Stokes Croft, Bristol, August 2015

However, things are changing and the ‘People’s Republic of Stokes Croft’ are trying to persuade Bristol City Council to return the space back to the community. One of the aims is to remove the advertising hoarding (not shown – to the left of this picture). It is certainly a better space than it was a few years ago.

During the Stokes Croft Festival of arts 2014, Sepr painted this ‘scarecrow and crows sitting down together’. A great sentiment. The mural is dedicated to Bob, but I don’t know the backstory.

7.5/10

21. Norrisville Road

Today was the first time I have stopped to take a look at this mural by Dora, on the edge of Montpelier.

Dora, Norrisville Road, Bristol, August 2015
Dora, Norrisville Road, Bristol, August 2015

Dora is an illustrator, designer and graffiti painter, based in Bristol. She has a rather good webpage that talks about her influences.

Having looked at her portfolio, I can’t help thinking that only one half of this wall is by her. I am not sure who the other artist might be.

Dora, Norrisville Road, Bristol, August 2015
Dora, Norrisville Road, Bristol, August 2015

It is always great to find something new.

6/10

 

Fool at Poolside

 

Cool and Inviting

the azure ripples beckon –

left my trunks at home.

 

by Scooj

 

I was pleasantly surprised to see a commission by Cheo, a Bristol street artist on the far side of the pool. See more here and here.

Cheo at Portishead swimming pool
Cheo at Portishead swimming pool

Tales

 

I do believe in

fairies; I have seen many.

They watch over me.

 

by Scooj

20. Hanover Place

The artist of ‘Girl with the Pierced Eardrum’ needs no introduction from me. Banksy’s beautiful work appeared last year. I went to see it two days after it was completed, and already it had been spoiled by someone who had sprayed paint over the bottom left side of the work.

Banksy, Honover Place, Bristol, August 2015
Banksy, Honover Place, Bristol, August 2015

It appears that some restoration has happened since then, but the work was ‘clean’ for such a short while, which is a pity. Some would say it is all vandalism…you live by the sword, you die by the sword. I’m not sure I subscribe to that.

Banksy, Honover Place, Bristol, August 2015
Banksy, Honover Place, Bristol, August 2015

It was great to see it again today, it is beautiful.